an unexpected performer:
REC CLASS TO BALLET TIGHTS, CREATING CHOREOGRAPHY AND SWINGING ON THE SEA
The turning point from an after school activity to a full career pursuit was at15 when I traveled to LA over summer break. Fresh faced, excited, nervous - here I was, in one of the meccas of the industry. After that trip, I spent almost every spare moment in a studio. I sought out opportunities to take classes all over Vancouver, watched countless YouTube videos and decided to graduate high school early so I could spend time training while deciding what to do for post secondary school. I steered away from a contract offer from a cruise line and ended up training with the Goh Ballet.
Two years later I found myself back in LA with my duo partner, Lauren, auditioning for a spot in the Scholarship Program at the EDGE Performing Arts Center. They accept less than 20 people. After what seemed like the most important audition of my life, I stood in a semi-circle in front of some of the greatest teachers and choreographers in the world. The list would be published online at 10pm. So on the couch of our AirBnb, I refreshed the page:
MY NAME WAS NOT UP ON THAT LIST
I came back to Vancouver knowing I was so close. Not only did I conquer a grueling audition, I made my face and name known. This gave me drive to find the next open door.
Like most dancers, I started teaching and choreographing - it gave me constant reminders of why I loved dance in the first place. In my second year as an instructor and choreographer, I was in the Philippines when I received an email that I won the Seattle YAGP Outstanding Choreographer award. Yet I wanted to be on stage performing too. So moving forward, dancer first, choreographer second - doors continued to open.
Time went on and I did BG for film and TV, apprenticed for the response. and booked a few music videos in Vancouver. During the fall of 2015, I got a call for the film Center Stage: On Pointe. Less than a week later I was in studio rehearsing with new and familiar faces led by choreographer, Monica Proenca. The group instantly bonded and connected, we were all young and loved what we were working on. A month flew by, Director X knew what he wanted and we were happy to deliver. I remember very clearly leaving set after wrapping and feeling overjoyed.
Fast forward a few months through the holidays, competition season and into recital time - standing in a classroom about to start a class, my phone starts ringing - Kissimmee, Florida. My heart starts racing and forgetting that I’d auditioned for Disney Cruise Line again. I would be moving to Toronto for two months of rehearsal and embark on the Fantasy for seven months - I accepted. 2023 marks my 7th year working for the company. Now living full time in Toronto, who knows what’s next but I hope you’ll come along for the adventures.
REELS
CURRICULUM VITAE
FILIPINO | 5’10” | 185LBS |HAIR: BLACK | EYES: BROWN | VOICE: BARITENOR
LIVE PERFORMANCE/ ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Golden Mickey's, Marvel Day at Sea, Disney’s Frozen, Disney’s Aladdin, The Other Side of the Window, The Nutcracker, Hunt Fer Jack 2.0, Star Wars Day at Sea, Disney’s Believe, Disney’s Wishes, Winter Wonderland Ball, Seasons of Light, Beaux Arts Ball, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Orbits: A Movement Study, Goh Ballet’s Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Mustard Seed (World Premiere), Wonderland (World Premiere)
COMPANY WORK
Disney Cruise Line | Mainstage Swing Fantasy 20, Dream 23
Disney Cruise Line | Mainstage Dancer Fantasy 10, 12, 12.5, 13, 15, 17, 18
Contemporary Division | Company Member
the response. Dance Company | Apprenticeship
Goh Ballet | Company Dancer
Surrey Celebration Dance Team | Dancer/ Choreographer
JUNIOR MEN, 1ST
FILM/ TV
Center Stage: On Pointe | Director X
The Katherines “Primitive” | Stephano Barberis
Felix Cartal ft. Nikki Yanofsky “Something to Live For” | David McDonald
BeSallis “I’m the Man” | Adam Hurstfield
NOVICE MEN, 1ST
TRAINING
DANCE
Vaganova/RAD Ballet, Classical Repertoire, Pas de Deux, Contemporary, Modern, Lyrical, Jazz, Hip Hop, Jazz Funk, Tap, Stage, Musical Theatre, Filipino Folk, Filipino Tribal, Ukrainian Folk, Russian Trepek
Harbour Dance Ccentre, The Dance Centre, Goh Ballet, Studio North (Vancouver)
Edge Performing Arts Center, Millenium Dance Complex, Movement Lifestyle (LA)
Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet, Oakland Ballet (San Francisco)
Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway (New York)
The Underground Dance Centre (Toronto)
VOCAL
Jenny Andersen, Megan Anderessen, Andrea Widmann (Vancouver)
Noreen Waibel, Wayne Gwillim (Toronto)
Beda Spindola (New York)
ACTING ON CAMERA
Armstrong Acting Studio - ActED Online | Dean Armstrong
WORKSHOPS
Canadian Pronunciation Coach - General American Accent | Phyllis Cohen